Texas Megachurch Pastor Has Brain Tumor Removed
The lead pastor of a Texas multisite church is recovering in a hospital after undergoing a surgery Friday to remove a tumor in the frontal lobe of his brain.
Though Matt Chandler left the Intensive Care Unit on Sunday, he is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days more and has been ordered by his doctors to get as much rest as possible.
"Doctors were pleased with the surgery, especially after Matt responded to questions in recovery," reported elders of The Village Church, which Chandler has led for the past seven years.
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"He (Chandler) will remain in the hospital for a few days before being released," the elders added. "Full recovery is expected to take several weeks."
Since news spread of Chandler's diagnosis last month, people from all over the world have been praying and fasting for the 34-year-old pastor.
Doctors found the tumor late November after Chandler had collapsed at home on the morning of Thanksgiving.
According to Village Church elders, the tumor's pathology report, originally thought to be available on Friday, is not expected until the middle of this coming week.
In the meantime, visitation is being limited to family members only until further notice.
"When praying, pray that the Lord give everyone patience as we navigate through the next few days of recovery," the elders wrote Saturday.
Since Chandler took the pulpit of The Village Church seven years ago, the Flower Mound, Texas-based church has grown from 160 people to over 5,000 and expanded out to two satellite campuses – in Denton and Northway Dallas.
Originally founded in August 1977 as Highland Village First Baptist Church, The Village Church is affiliated with the Denton Baptist Association (DBA), the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).
The church officially changed its name in 2004 and moved from Highland Village to Flower Mound five years later.
